For centuries, clinicians have been baffled as to how to achieve healthy outcomes in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. In this workshop, the presenter will describe how she assisted a nine-year-old female soccer player, who experienced disordered eating. The techniques used to facilitate performance, such as goal-setting, mental rehearsal, and positive selftalk, will be explained, as well as unique approaches with Ericksonian hypnosis and imagery. The use of puppetry, which was an adjunct to Parts Therapy, will be demonstrated. With Christine Silverstein.
BT12 Workshop 33 – Brief Therapy for the Treatment of Anorexia – Camillo Loriedo, MD, PhD
Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa will be presented in the frame of the Extreme Polarities Theory, and examine why, in some families, eating disorders develop and there is continuity among opposite forms of disturbances. Principles of intervention, as well as specific techniques will be presented, including the clinical applications (and advantages) of direct and indirect hypnosis.
Various attempts to treat these disturbances briefly have been made, but in most cases they proved to be unsuccessful due a very high relapse rate. To avoid a fearsome chronicity, a number of other factors, like alexithymia, low self-esteem, perfectionism, dissociation, dichotomous thinking, and others should be considered for treatment. Indications of how to deal with these factors in Ericksonian Brief Therapy will be offered.
In this video, you will see Erickson’s unusual way of treating anorexia. Erickson described himself as a person who has an iron fist, but a velvet glove. He knew when it was right to be firm, to be disciplined, and even to be assertive in work with a client. Dr. Jeffrey Zeig provides insightful commentary on this historic Erickson clip.
Rapid remission of anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder results from this new approach. A form of unconscious communication known as ideomotor questioning is employed. Experiential exercises introduce participants to this communication style which allows safe access to psychobiological information. Clients are given instructions allowing them to maintain full management of this chronic illness on their own.
Eating Disorders are a good example of massive interdependence among family members. Salvador Minuchin described families with Anorexia Nervosa as enmeshed families, and the interdependence it is certainly the base for enmeshment. Recent studies as well as more extended clinical experiences demonstrate that although bulimia appears to produce less reciprocal involvement, and some other form of apparent disengagement, we really can say that reciprocal interdependence in the family it always present, even if it assumes more hidden and complex forms.